<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336112</docID> <postdate>2025-01-04 08:04:43</postdate> <headline>Day 10 in search for hiker amid ‘bloody tough’ terrain</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-336113" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bushwalker-search-e1735938193689.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="532" /></p> <caption>Specialist operators are searching for missing bushwalker Hadi Nazari in Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: NSW SES</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>William Ton</strong></span></p> <p><strong>The search for missing hiker Hadi Nazari has entered its 10th day, with experts describing the rugged terrain of a national park as "bloody tough country".</strong></p> <p>Experienced hiker Hadi Nazari, 23, was last seen on Boxing Day descending the challenging Hannels Spur trail in NSW's Kosciuszko National Park.</p> <p>A large-scale search involving NSW Police, the State Emergency Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Ambulance, and volunteers when Mr Nazari failed to meet friends at Geehi campground.</p> <p>Rubbish and hiking poles believed to be his were found near the Kosciuszko River on Tuesday, narrowing the search.</p> <p>Tour company Snowy Mountains Back Country lead guide Doug Chatten told AAP the Hannels Spur track, despite its elevation change, was not so steep that it required "hand-and-foot climbing".</p> <p>"It's easier walking up, because you're controlling your weight - when you're walking down … it's just hard work," he told AAP.</p> <p>The festive season is a busy time in the mountains.</p> <p>"There's quite a few people walking that track, but it's not like it's continuous, Everest-style, back-to-back … it does get used a bit," Mr Chatten told AAP.</p> <p>But things can quickly become much more difficult for anyone off the track.</p> <p>"If you're off the track, it's bloody tough country," Mr Chatten said.</p> <p>"It's no easy walk, that's for sure … if you're off the track and you can't find your way back and you're moving around, you'd be a hard person to find."</p> <p>While the longer days offer more light, the summer poses other hazards.</p> <p>"It's tough and long, hot, dry days and we're going through a very hot, dry period at the moment," Mr Chatten said.</p> <p>Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said specialist teams with winching capabilities and aircraft were aiding the search but rugged terrain and dense vegetation make it challenging.</p> <p>"The bushland is so dense that searchers in some parts can't see their feet," Ms Gibson told reporters on Friday afternoon.</p> <p>She said police were still hopeful of finding Mr Nazari.</p> <p>"We are continuing to search for Hadi. We are not giving up hope of finding him alive," she said.</p> <p>The Hannels Spur trail, with its 1800m elevation change, is one of Australia's most difficult bushwalking routes.</p> </body>